How to prevent users from changing the OneDrive folder location

If you want to prevent users from changing the OneDrive folder location on Windows 10, here are two methods that you will have to follow. Although OneDrive allows users to change the default location, you can block other users from doing that on a computer. The default location of OneDrive, in case you do not know, is C:\User\username\OneDrive.

Before getting started, it is suggested to collect the Tenant ID. In case you do not know the process to find, you can visit the Azure Active Directory admin center to find it. Click on this link and sign in with your account to see the Tenant ID.

You can enable this feature from the Local Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor. However, if you use the first method, it is mandatory to add OneDrive sync settings to the Local Group Policy Editor.

Prevent users from changing the location of their OneDrive folder

To prevent users from changing the OneDrive folder location using Group Policy Editor, follow these steps-

1. Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter button.
3. Go to OneDrive in User Configuration.
4. Double-click on Prevent users from changing the location of their OneDrive folder.
5. Select the Enable option.
6. Click on the Show button.
7. Enter the Tenant ID in the Value name field.
8. Enter 1 in the Value field.
9. Click the OK button.
10. Click Apply and OK.

Let’s check out these steps in detail.

You will have to open the Local Group Policy Editor. For that, press Win+R, type gpedit.msc, and hit the Enter button. After that, navigate to this path-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > OneDrive

Double-click on the Prevent users from changing the location of their OneDrive folder and select the Enabled option. After that, click on the Show button.

You will have to select the Value name field and enter the Tenant ID that you copied earlier. Then, select the Value field, and enter 1.

Following that, click on the OK button to go back to the previous window. Here, click the Apply and OK buttons, respectively.

The next method is all about Registry changes. Therefore, it is recommended to create a System Restore point and backup all Registry files.

Block users from changing the default OneDrive folder location using Registry

To block users from changing the default OneDrive folder location using Registry, follow these steps-

1. Press Win+R.
2. Type regedit and hit the Enter button.
3. Click the Yes button in the UAC prompt.
4. Navigate to OneDrive in the HKCU.
5. Right-click on OneDrive > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name it as DisableCustomRoot.
7. Double-click on it to set the Value data as 1.
8. Right-click on OneDrive > New > Key.
9. Name it as DisableCustomRoot.
10. Right-click on DisableCustomRoot > New > String Value.
11. Name it as the Tenant ID.
12. Double-click on it and set the Value data as 1.
13. Click OK.

Let’s check out the detailed version of these steps.

At first, you will have to open the Registry Editor. Press Win+R, type regedit and hit the Enter button. If the UAC prompt appears, click the Yes button. Then, navigate to the following path-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive

If you cannot find the OneDrive folder, right-click on Microsoft > New > Key, and name it as OneDrive. After that, right-click on OneDrive > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it as DisableCustomRoot.

Double-click on DisableCustomRoot, and set the Value data as 1. Then, right-click on OneDrive > New > Key, and name it as DisableCustomRoot.

Now, right-click on DisableCustomRoot > New > String Value, and name it as your Tenant ID. Double-click on this String Value and set the Value data as 1.

Click the OK button to save changes.

That’s all! Hope this tutorial helps.